Fun facts about coupons

September is National Coupon Month and I'm in to celebrate those slick little slips eight days a week.

Laugh if you want, but I see coupons for exactly what they are: free money.

I'm not the only bargainista who sees it that way. Scissor-wielding tightwads saved nearly $4 billion using coupons in the first half of this year. But consumers could be saving up to $10,000 a year using coupons, says a new Largo-based Valpak survey.

Just for giggles, I dug up some history thanks to Coupons.com and NCH Marketing, which distributes the RedPlum inserts in Sunday's paper.

Founding father of coupons: Credit goes Coca-Cola inventor John Pemberton. The Atlanta pharmacist offered certificates try the new fangled soda pop for free in 1887.

Use your library card to get free admission at Florida state parks on Sunday to celebrate International Literacy Day. The state park system will waive entry fees when you show a library card or checked-out book or donate a family-friendly book at the gate.